"Is Miss Ross in?" he asked of the landlady, who knew him well, for he was one of the characters of the place, and was known to be a woman-hater.
Miss Marshall ran upstairs, and came down with the information that Miss Ross was in.
"I'll see her for a moment, if she has no objection," said Danvers.
Miss Marshall led the way upstairs.
"How do you do?" said Danvers, when he found himself in the presence of the girl for whom he was to go to Bedlam.
Cecil was seated by her writing-table; there was perplexity on her face, dark rings under her eyes; her sweet mouth looked slightly fretful. The fact is, she was making up her mind to decline Mrs. Lavender's offer.
Danvers came in and stood in front of her.
"Won't you sit down, Mr. Danvers?" said Cecil, who of course knew the little man very well indeed by sight.
"No, thank you, madam; I prefer to stand."
Cecil stood also. She looked at the little classical master in some wonder.